When launching a new website — whether it’s a personal portfolio, an online shop, or a professional business site built with WordPress — choosing the perfect domain name is just the start. Just as important is picking the right domain extension.

At O-Wow.com, we build beautiful, high-performing WordPress sites every day, so we know how much your domain name can impact your brand and credibility. In this post, we break down each option to help you choose wisely.

What Do These Extensions Mean?

Let’s start with what each one stands for:

  • .com: Short for “commercial”. Originally meant for businesses but now the go-to for all types of websites worldwide.
  • .net: Short for “network”. Designed for network-based services but commonly used as a backup when .com is taken.
  • .co: Technically a country code (Colombia) but globally recognized as shorthand for “company” or “corporation”. It’s trendy among startups and modern brands.

.com — The Gold Standard

Pros:

  • Most recognized and trusted by users everywhere.
  • Easy to remember and type.
  • Instantly adds professionalism to your brand.

Cons:

  • Popular names are often taken.
  • Premium .com domains can be pricey.

Best for: Any website that wants maximum credibility and memorability. If you can get a .com, do it!

.net — The Reliable Backup

Pros:

  • Solid fallback when .com is unavailable.
  • Familiar and trustworthy for most users.

Cons:

  • Some people still type .com by default.
  • Less authority and branding power than .com.

Best for: Tech companies, networking services, or anyone looking for a well-known alternative.

.co — The Trendy Newcomer

Pros:

  • Short and catchy — feels modern and innovative.
  • Popular with startups and creative projects.
  • Greater availability for desirable names.

Cons:

  • Users may mistype it as .com.
  • Less recognized by older demographics.

Best for: Startups, entrepreneurs, and brands that want a sleek, modern vibe and a name that’s short and memorable.

Does the Extension Affect SEO?

In short: not directly. Google doesn’t rank .com higher than .net or .co just because of the extension. What really matters for SEO is your website’s quality — great content, clean structure (a strength of WordPress sites built by O-Wow.com!), good backlinks, and an excellent user experience.

However, indirectly, .com domains often perform better simply because they’re more trusted and more likely to be remembered and linked to.

Our Expert Advice

At O-Wow.com, we help businesses of all sizes create stunning WordPress websites with domains that work for them. Here’s our simple rule of thumb:

✅ Choose .com if possible. It’s familiar, credible, and timeless.
✅ If your .com domain is taken, .net domain is a safe and professional alternative.
✅ For modern brands and startups looking for a fresh, unique identity, .co can be a great pick.

If your perfect .com is already taken, don’t panic! Try adding a short word (like “get”, “try”, or “my”) or include a relevant keyword to secure a catchy .com that still aligns with your brand.

Ready to Build Your Dream Website?

Choosing a domain is just the beginning. At O-Wow.com, our team of WordPress experts is here to turn that domain into a stunning, user-friendly website that makes your brand shine online.

Contact us today and let’s build something amazing together. 🚀✨